Scottish Executive

Alcohol Misuse

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what educational materials have been developed that target middle-aged and older women in light of the Health Education Board for Scotland report, women and alcohol: report of an expert seminar .

Mrs Mary Mulligan: Alcohol Focus Scotland has produced an information leaflet for older people, which provides advice on sensible drinking levels and contacts for further information. The Executive will give further consideration to the prevention and education needs of women in light of the findings of the Health Education Board for Scotland's women and alcohol seminar in April. I also refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-22209.

Alcohol Misuse

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what training and information have been given to health professionals in respect of identifying alcohol-related problems in women in light of the Health Education Board for Scotland report, women and alcohol: report of an expert seminar .

Mrs Mary Mulligan: The Executive set up Scottish Training on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (STRADA) last year to provide training for staff working in the alcohol and drugs fields. STRADA's programme will include training on identifying and addressing alcohol problems among specific groups, including women.

Alcohol Misuse

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what gender-sensitive approaches have been developed by providers of alcohol services in order to take account of the particular needs of women with alcohol problems in light of the Health Education Board for Scotland report , women and alcohol: report of an expert seminar .

Mrs Mary Mulligan: The Executive's Plan for Action on alcohol problems , which was published on 18 January 2002, sets out that alcohol problems services should be sensitive to the needs of particular groups, including women. The Executive will shortly be consulting on a framework for alcohol problems support and treatment services and this will include consultation with groups who have a specific interest in women with alcohol problems.

Cancer

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19754 by Susan Deacon on 26 November 2001, whether it will provide an update of its assessment of any impact the changing situation at the Beatson Oncology Unit and the North Glasgow University Hospitals Trust will have on patient services.

Malcolm Chisholm: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20764 on 4 February 2002.

Care of Elderly People

Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow) (SSP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish all correspondence between it and Her Majesty’s Treasury, the Department for Work and Pensions and any other individuals or departments concerning the loss of Attendance Allowance to Scottish pensioners resulting from the implementation of free personal and nursing care for pensioners.

Malcolm Chisholm: Correspondence relating to discussions between the Scottish Executive and the UK Government is not published, in accordance with Exemption 2 of Part ll of the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information .

Central Heating

Mr Kenneth Gibson (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive why the installation of condensing boilers has not been specified in the terms of its Central Heating Installation Programme.

Iain Gray: The specification for the Central Heating Installation Programme does not prevent the installation of condensing boilers. The specifications were set in terms of performance levels and not on the basis of make or form of heating.

Culture

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-21105 by Dr Elaine Murray on 3 January 2002, what reasons given were for the Piping Centre, Glasgow having debts of this nature.

Dr Elaine Murray: The Piping Centre incurred a substantial debt in the conversion of the building. In its initial years the centre's income without public subsidy has not yet matched its costs.

Culture

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether losses on commercial activity are taken into account when it considers deficit funding to cultural bodies.

Dr Elaine Murray: All the relevant financial and operational factors are taken into account.

Culture

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-21105 by Dr Elaine Murray on 3 January 2002, what criteria it used when deciding to award funding in September 2000 and November 2001 to the Piping Centre, Glasgow.

Dr Elaine Murray: The criteria included being a centre of excellence and providing international leadership in piping, its educational role, which involves teaching on the RSAMD's course in Scottish music, and evidence of financial need.

Dental Health

Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what part water fluoridation will play in its dental strategy.

Malcolm Chisholm: This will be part of the consultation we propose on children’s oral health.

Education

Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to prevent the reductions in pupil performance at Secondary 1 and Secondary 2 level as detailed in Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Education report Standards and Quality in Primary and Secondary Schools 1998-2001 and to increase parents’ confidence that all pupils will be encouraged to achieve their potential at this stage in their education.

Cathy Jamieson: The report emphasises that there is much to be proud of in our schools. Standards are improving year on year. However, several areas for improvement are identified. We are already taking action to deal with them through a range of policies, the framework for improvement and action to promote effective leadership in schools.

  Education authorities are required to ensure that school boards and parents are consulted when school improvement plans are being drawn up.

Enterprise

Mr Kenneth Gibson (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to stimulate net capital expenditure in Glasgow’s manufacturing sector.

Ms Wendy Alexander: In financial years 1996-2001 we made offers of Regional Selective Assistance amounting to £137,882,650 towards projects involving capital expenditure of £822,335,910 in the Glasgow Travel to Work Area.

Enterprise

Mr Kenneth Gibson (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the growth rate in jobs was in Glasgow in each year from 1996 to 2001 and what it is expected to be in each year until 2006.

Ms Wendy Alexander: Data from the ONS’s Annual Business Inquiry and Annual Employment Survey shows that the growth rate for jobs in Glasgow City for each year is:

  


1999-2000 
  

6.90% 
  



1998-99 
  

-1.70% 
  



1997-98 
  

2.20% 
  



1996-97 
  

4.50% 
  



  2000 is the latest year that these data are available.

  Information on forecasts is not held centrally.

Enterprise

Miss Annabel Goldie (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the impact of the level of business rates on firms’ cash flows, given that, as reported in the Edinburgh Evening News on 14 January 2002, 29% of Scottish firms are experiencing cash flow problems.

Mr Andy Kerr: A number of factors affect the cash flow of a business.

  Business rates affect firms’ cash flows to a greater or lesser extent depending on the rateable value of the property or properties involved. An assessment of the impact would therefore vary from business to business.

Enterprise

Miss Annabel Goldie (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to address any decline in exports, given that, as reported in the Edinburgh Evening News  on 14 January 2002, 33% of exporters experienced an increase in turnover in the second half of 2001 compared with 52% in the second half of 2000.

Ms Wendy Alexander: The Global Connections Strategy, launched in October 2001, sets out the Executive’s aims for future international economic development activity. The strategy led to the creation of Scottish Development International which brings together the experience and expertise of Scottish Trade International and Locate in Scotland.

  One of Scottish Development International’s key aims is to ensure that companies are able to realise the full benefits of trading in international markets. It provides generic and custom market research and knowledge to Scottish companies and delivers customised strategic market entry support. This covers a wide range of activities including the delivery of all government trade services in Scotland, tailored Market Assistance Programmes and assistance for companies on outward missions and attendance at exhibitions. Work is done with companies on a one to one basis.

Epilepsy

Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to increase the total number of consultant neurologists appointed in order to help reduce the misdiagnosis rate for epilepsy.

Mrs Mary Mulligan: It is for NHS boards and trusts to assess and provide for local needs and to determine the staffing levels required for effective delivery of service outcomes. It would be wrong for the Executive to attempt to define staffing levels, as trusts must be able to adapt staffing arrangements to suit the changing pattern of circumstances, and be judged by outcomes rather than inputs.

  The number of higher specialist training posts available in Scotland is regularly adjusted to meet the projected number of new consultants needed to meet known and anticipated turnover and local service developments. In March 2001, the specialist registrar establishment for neurology was increased from 12 to 14. We will consider whether additional training posts for neurologists should be part of the targeted increase of 375 junior doctors which was announced on 2 April 2001 for the period to 2004. Targeting will take account of the review of medical workforce planning which is also currently under way.

Epilepsy

Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to provide resources for a public awareness campaign during National Epilepsy Week from 18-24 May 2002.

Malcolm Chisholm: The Executive gives grant funding to Epilepsy Action Scotland, to support their role in promoting public awareness of epilepsy. We have not had any application for resources directly related to National Epilepsy Week 2002.

Epilepsy

Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to issue guidance to local authorities to ensure that all of their staff are offered epilepsy awareness training.

Malcolm Chisholm: The Executive has no such plans.

Epilepsy

Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many specialist epilepsy nurses were employed by each NHS and health board in each year since May 1999.

Malcolm Chisholm: The information requested is not available centrally.

Fire Safety

Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines have been given to fire brigades concerning the provision of free smoke alarms to households in their regions.

Dr Richard Simpson: The Scottish Executive has not issued guidance to fire brigades. However, the Scottish Executive and all fire brigades strongly encourage the installation and maintenance of smoke alarms. Advice is offered to the public by all brigades through their Community Fire Safety departments. In addition, the Scottish Executive has funded a number of initiatives on the importance of smoke alarms, including recent TV and radio advertising, posters on buses and the regular press supplement "Fire Safety Scotland" which we produce in partnership with the Scottish Fire Service.

Fire Safety

Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines are issued to fire brigades concerning the installation of smoke alarms in their regions.

Dr Richard Simpson: From time to time the Scottish Executive issues information to fire brigades about smoke alarms. The most recent was in November 2000 and advised brigades about a revised British Standard specification for smoke alarms. The Scottish Executive and the Scottish Fire Service strongly encourage the installation and maintenance of smoke alarms. Advice is offered to the public by all brigades through their Community Fire Safety departments. In addition, the Scottish Executive has funded a number of initiatives on the importance of smoke alarms, including recent TV and radio advertising, posters on buses and the regular press supplement "Fire Safety Scotland" which we produce in partnership with the Scottish Fire Service.

Fire Safety

Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has funded any research projects that aim to assess the effectiveness of free distribution of smoke alarms as a way of reducing fire fatalities and injuries related to household fires.

Dr Richard Simpson: The Scottish Executive has not funded any such research projects but smoke alarm ownership in Scotland is relatively high with 88% of dwellings having smoke alarms. However, we have recently undertaken a comprehensive advertising campaign to further raise people’s awareness of the benefits of installing and maintaining smoke alarms, involving the use of TV and radio advertising, posters on buses and advertising boards at football grounds. In addition, we have undertaken a survey on the impact of the regular press supplement "Fire Safety Scotland" which we produce in partnership with the Scottish Fire Service. The survey confirmed the effectiveness of the supplement in targeting the most vulnerable groups. I will write to the member with more detail on the survey and also place a copy in the Parliament’s Reference Centre.

Fisheries

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive which minister has responsibility for fisheries following the ministerial reshuffle.

Mr Jack McConnell: The Minister for Environment and Rural Development has overall responsibility for all fisheries issues, and takes day-to-day responsibility for sea fisheries and the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency. The Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development takes day-to-day responsibility for aquaculture and freshwater fisheries.

Fisheries

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will report on the outcome of the December 2001 EU Fisheries Council meeting.

Ross Finnie: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-21331 on 17 January 2002. A note of the outcome of the Fisheries Council has also been sent to the Convenor of the Rural Development Committee.

Health

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the publication of the Scottish Health Plan,  Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change , how the accessibility audit of all NHS premises is progressing.

Malcolm Chisholm: The Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change , reinforces the requirement of NHSScotland to meet the specific needs of people with physical disability by giving a commitment to "improve physical access to health services, meetings and offices, by carrying out an accessibility audit of all NHS premises". This commitment is consistent with the legal obligations which require NHS bodies to comply with the statutory requirements of section 21: Access to Goods and Services, of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA). The provisions of section 21 are being phased in over the period October 1999 to December 2004.

  To assist NHS Holding Bodies the Scottish Executive Health Department (SEHD) and the NHSScotland Property and Environment Forum have issued comprehensive guidance on both compliance with section 21 of the DDA and on accessibility audits. Responsibility for implementing measures to ensure compliance with these legal obligations rests with NHS Holding Bodies, e.g. NHS trusts, and to inform the process accessibility audits are currently on-going.

  Having issued this guidance SEHD and the NHSScotland Property and Environment Forum are considering what monitoring mechanisms need to be put in place to assess the progress of compliance. It is anticipated that appropriate monitoring arrangements will be in place in the near future.

Health

Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities currently include brain injury as a separate care group section within community care plans, as recommended in the Social Work Scotland Guidance package Index Ref: F16, issued in 1997.

Hugh Henry: Of existing plans, 27 of the 32 councils include brain injury as a separate section. Plans for the 2001-04 period are presently being reviewed and, of 16 received to date, 12 include a separate section.

Health

Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that its good practice guidance on the administration of medicines in schools is uniformly implemented.

Nicol Stephen: This is primarily a matter for health boards and education authorities. The good practice guidance emphasises the need for co-operation between NHS boards and education authorities to ensure that appropriate arrangements are in place. These would determine the respective responsibilities of each in relation to the administration of medicines in schools. Implementation and practical issues will, however, need to reflect local circumstances and in some cases the individual needs of pupils.

Health

Tricia Marwick (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients in each NHS and health board area are currently being prescribed Infliximab and Entanercept.

Malcolm Chisholm: This information is not available centrally. Infliximab and Entanercept are available on NHS prescription. However, their use depends on the clinical judgement of specialists experienced in the management of rheumatoid arthritis. Data on drugs dispensed in hospitals is not held centrally. Centrally collected data relates to items dispensed in the community by community pharmacists and dispensing doctors.

Health

Elaine Smith (Coatbridge and Chryston) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to address any national shortage of paediatric specialists.

Mrs Mary Mulligan: The number of higher specialist training posts available in Scotland is regularly adjusted to meet the projected number of new consultants needed to meet known and anticipated turnover and local service developments. We will consider whether additional training posts for paediatrics should be part of the targeted increase of 375 junior doctors which was announced on 2 April 2001 for the period to 2004. Targeting will take account of the review of medical workforce planning which is also currently under way.

Health

Elaine Smith (Coatbridge and Chryston) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what statistical information it holds in respect of any increase in the number of children requiring admission to hospitals in Lanarkshire over the winter period.

Malcolm Chisholm: The following table provides information on the number of patients under the age of 16 years that were admitted to Lanarkshire acute hospitals for in-patient and day case treatment during the period April 1998 to March 2001, the most up to date figures available.

  


Type of admission 
  

"Winter" Months 
  

"Summer" Months 
  



Oct 1998 - Mar 1999 
  

Oct 1999 - Mar 2000 
  

Oct 2000 -Mar 2001p


Apr 1998 -Sep 1998 
  

Apr 1999 -Sep 1999 
  

Apr 2000 -Sep 2000 
  



Elective 
  

1,545 
  

1,380 
  

968 
  

1,710 
  

1,514 
  

1,320 
  



Transfer 
  

82 
  

55 
  

68 
  

66 
  

69 
  

49 
  



Emergency 
  

2,518 
  

2,490 
  

2,382 
  

2,462 
  

2,385 
  

2,330 
  



Total 
  

4,145 
  

3,925 
  

3,418 
  

4,238 
  

3,968 
  

3,699 
  



  Source: ISD Scotland.

  P Provisional.

Health

Elaine Smith (Coatbridge and Chryston) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether sick children requiring in-patient services should be cared for as close to their home as possible.

Malcolm Chisholm: The Child Health Support Group Template for Child Health Services within Unified NHS Board Areas  sets out that, where possible, in order to minimise anxiety for the child, the chosen model of acute care should be out-patient provision located as near as possible to the child’s home. Where in-patient care is necessary we recommend in At Home in Hospital – A Guide to Care of Children and Young People  that families should have easy access to hospital facilities for children without needing to travel significant distances.

Hospitals

Bristow Muldoon (Livingston) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to review its policy concerning charges for car parking at NHS hospitals.

Malcolm Chisholm: The Scottish Executive currently has no plans to review its policy, detailed in Management Executive Letter (MEL)(2000)13 on charges for car parking at NHS hospitals.

Hospitals

Bristow Muldoon (Livingston) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what income has been generated by the introduction of car parking charges at St John’s Hospital in Livingston and on what capital and revenue items the income generated has been spent.

Malcolm Chisholm: The information requested is not held centrally but could be obtained from West Lothian Healthcare NHS Trust.

Hospitals

Elaine Smith (Coatbridge and Chryston) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the provision on site of children’s in-patient medical services in general hospitals such as Monklands Hospital in Airdrie.

Malcolm Chisholm: The Executive expects NHS boards and trusts to design and operate health services, including children’s services, so that they meet local needs and adhere to overall Scottish and other policies and frameworks where relevant.

  The Child Health Support Group published its Template for Child Health Services within Unified NHS Board Areas in May 2001. The template is a framework for the planning of child health services by NHS boards across Scotland and is available at www.Show.Scot.nhs.uk/chsg under the heading "Work of the Group". The Executive would expect local children’s health service planning in Lanarkshire to be carried forward within this framework.

Hospitals

Elaine Smith (Coatbridge and Chryston) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what level of consultation with the public and any other interested parties it would expect to be undertaken in respect of any permanent change in service provision at Monklands Hospital.

Malcolm Chisholm: NHS boards are expected to consult with all affected communities about any significant service change or development whether these are new or existing services, or a change in the way health services are used.

  Boards should agree a process that provides a clear timetable for decision making, identifies who will be consulted and when this will happen, the range of approaches that will be used, and the stages at which people who have been involved will be made aware of progress. This approach should be shared with the local health council, the local authority and other representative bodies at an early stage for advice where appropriate.

  It is important that service users should be involved in developing possible options or alternatives prior to proceeding with the formal consultation process. The initial stages of a consultation process should begin with open sessions to gain views on a range of options of key interest groups, for example service user groups, community groups, NHS staff and trade unions.

  Full public debate on the options should be supported by feedback, through the media and newsletters, of the points made at open sessions. Focus groups and surveys should be used where appropriate to ensure patient experience and the wider public perspective are fed into the process. Written comments should be encouraged with particular attention being given to eliciting comment from local councils, local councillors, MSPs and MPs and other key local individuals and organisations.

  In deciding whether to approve a proposal for a permanent change of use, ministers will take account of the quality and extent of the public involvement in the development of the proposal for service change.

Hospitals

Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to reduce bed blocking in (a) Renfrewshire and (b) Scotland as a whole.

Malcolm Chisholm: On 9 January 2002, we announced a £20 million package for local authorities and NHSScotland to make a significant reduction in the number of patients experiencing delayed discharge from hospitals across Scotland. This is over and above the recurring £10 million already provided to local authorities for the purpose through their Grant Aided Expenditure settlements. Additionally, an expert group, led by NHSScotland Chief Executive, Trevor Jones, has been looking in detail at delayed discharge and the reasons for it. Next month, I will announce an Action Plan based on the work of this group, and including the distribution arrangements for the new resources, to help drive down the delayed discharge figures.

Justice

Margaret Smith (Edinburgh West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce a new offence of aggravated assault where the victim is a public sector worker, for example a health sector worker who is assaulted in the course of their duties.

Mr Jim Wallace: We have no such plans. Individuals who are assaulted in the course of their duties are already treated as the victims of an aggravated assault. Procurators Fiscal treat such assaults as being more serious due to the employment status of the victim. The punishment for assault is not fixed in statute. The penalty imposed will depend on the circumstances of each case including the status of the victim.

Legislation

Brian Fitzpatrick (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20685 by Mr Jim Wallace on 28 December 2001, what progress it has made in considering the advice given by the Government Actuary on determining the rate of return to be expected from the investment of sums awarded for damages and when the order prescribing an assumed rate of return on the investment of damages to ensure that victims of personal injury in Scotland are not disadvantaged in comparison to victims in the rest of the United Kingdom will be brought forward.

Mr Jim Wallace: Having now considered the advice of the Government Actuary, the Scottish ministers have now made the Damages (Personal Injury)(Scotland) Order 2002, setting the discount rate at 2.5%. This is the same rate as in England and Wales. The order enters into force on 8 February 2002, so that victims of personal injury do not have to delay court proceedings or settlements in order to get the benefit of the new rate.

  We intend to consult shortly on questions relating to future changes to the discount rate.

Public Transport

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how it envisages the operation of Quality Contract Schemes for buses in order to ensure an equitable tender process.

Lewis Macdonald: The Transport (Scotland) Act 2001 sets out the tendering requirements. The Executive has also issued comprehensive guidance on Part 2 (Bus Services) of the act. It is for local transport authorities to ensure that Quality Contracts awarded comply fully with all relevant regulations.

Rail Freight

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what volume of freight trains it estimates will no longer use the Forth Rail Bridge when the Stirling/Alloa/Dunfermline railway line is reopened.

Lewis Macdonald: The MVA study into the proposals for a Stirling/Alloa/Kincardine railway reopening addresses this issue. I expect the report of the study to be finalised in February and to be able to make a statement about its findings shortly afterwards. It would not be appropriate for me to pre-empt the findings of the study.

Roads

Andrew Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to paragraph 2.44 of Audit Scotland’s The new trunk road contracts , why its Development Department considered that it was not necessary to take any special measures to protect the staff of its existing providers.

Lewis Macdonald: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20533 on 29 November 2001, in response to publication of the Auditor General’s report.

Student Finance

Brian Fitzpatrick (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it offers financial support to Scottish students studying in England under the Dance and Drama Awards Scheme.

Ms Wendy Alexander: Assistance is available for Scottish domiciled higher education students in receipt of such an award to study in England, from the Student Awards Agency in Scotland.

  Until last summer Scottish domiciled further education students in receipt of an award had to apply to their home local authority for assistance with living costs. But from the start of the current academic year, last August, the Scottish Executive has entered into an agreement whereby the Department for Education and Skills provides help with living costs directly to Scottish students in receipt of an award, on the same basis as for both English and Welsh students. The Scottish Executive then reimburses the department the relevant costs.

  A copy of the DfES booklet entitled "Dance and Drama Awards 2001-02", giving details of the new arrangements for Scottish students, has been placed in the Parliament’s Reference Centre.

Waste Management

Fiona McLeod (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give any financial support to local authorities for the transportation of fridges to an ozone-depleting gas recovery facility.

Ross Finnie: I announced on 6 December in response to question S1O-4233 on 6 December 2001 that the Executive will provide funding to local authorities towards the additional costs which local authorities will incur in dealing with fridges containing ozone-depleting substances. I hope to announce the amount of allocations to local authorities shortly.

Waste Management

Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines are issued to local authorities concerning the siting of waste incinerators.

Iain Gray: Current guidance to planning authorities on the siting of incinerators is contained in National Planning Policy Guideline (NPPG) 10: Planning and Waste Management. A copy of NPPG 10 is available in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 1084).

  We will shortly be publishing further advice to planning authorities in Planning Advice Note 63: Waste Management Planning.

Waste Management

Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what targets it has set for the recycling of waste over the next 10 years.

Ross Finnie: No targets for the recycling of waste have been set to date. The introduction of targets will be informed by the findings of the Area Waste Plans currently being developed as part of the National Waste Strategy. This will ensure that the Best Practicable Environmental Option for dealing with waste in each area has been taken into account before targets are established.

Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body

Holyrood Project

Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP): To ask the Presiding Officer whether an independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding any losses incurred following the insolvency of Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd should be carried out; what grounds there are for such an inquiry; what the remit of such an inquiry should be; whether a request for such an inquiry should be referred to Audit Scotland, and what the reasons are for the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body’s position on this matter.

Sir David Steel: Audit Scotland is currently reviewing the Flour City contract as part of the routine audit of the SPCB’s accounts. The SPCB decided at its meeting on 5 February 2002 to consider any further action in the light of Audit Scotland’s findings.